Notify the CE source of the appointment in writing and include the following:

1. 1. 

   Date and time of the CE appointment,

2. 2. 

   Required type of CE, required tests, and specific issues for the CE source to address,

3. 3. 

   Authorizing documents (e.g., an authorization for diagnostic studies or claim for payment),

4. 4. 

   Form(s) to complete, such as a request for the CE medical opinion of what the claimant can still do despite his or her impairment(s),

5. 5. 

   A duplicate, fax, or other agency-approved electronic transmission of an originally signed and dated SSA Authorization To Disclose Information To The Social Security Administration unless the source prefers to use its own authorization forms, see DI 11005.055, and

6. 6. 

   Background information on the claimant as described in DI 22510.017B in this section.

For a rescheduled CE appointment, notify the CE source of the change and include the information listed above in 22510.017A.

The quality of the collateral evidence sent to the CE source is more important than the quantity of information. Send the CE source longitudinal information relevant to the reason for the examination requested. Longitudinal evidence is particularly critical for cases involving mental impairments. In some cases, requests for lab work, x-rays, and other diagnostic studies without an examination may not require background information. However, send the background information to the CE source when it provides context to a particular diagnostic study, such as the claimant’s most recent cardiac consultation when ordering a treadmill exercise test.

Examples of information you might consider sending a CE source include relevant medical evidence including any medical opinion(s) or forms completed by the claimant or others, such as the SSA-3373 Function Report - Adult.

NOTE: Comply with State law governing the release of information. Do not offer any opinion, implied or stated, about the severity of the claimant’s impairment(s), or make any statement or comment that would be prejudicial to the claimant.

DI 11005.055 Completing Form SSA-827 Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration (SSA)